Document 1
The Proclamation of 1763
1
The French and Indian War
was a conflict between England and
France over territory in North
America. The war lasted from 1754 to
1763. Native Americans fought on both
sides of the war, however they liked
the French because treated them as
trading partners and not with
disrespect.
The map below shows the
“Proclamation Line” that established
a western border for the colonies in
1763.
2
In 1763, England and France
ended the war and signed the Treaty
of Paris. France would then give
England the control of Canada and
most of the land east of the
Mississippi River. To avoid more
conflict with the Native Americans,
England issued the Proclamation of
1763. It established a western border
for the 13 colonies and ensured that
colonists could not settle (or live) in
any place west of the Appalachian
Mountains.
3
This action angered the
colonists who would come to ignore it.
They believed that it was their right to
settle in any area in which they could
find prosperity and success.
PRIMARY SOURCE
His Royal Majesty’s Government Declares That:
“In so much as it is in our interest and in the interest of our colonies that
the several nations of Indians who live under our protection should not be
disturbed in the territories that are reserved to them as hunting grounds;
we do therefore...declare it to be our royal will that no governor in any of
our colonies...grant warrants of survey or pass any patents for lands beyond
the bounds of the stated proclamation line.”
Document 2
“Taxation without Representation”
1
“No taxation without representation” was a phrase used by American
colonists. It reflected the resentment (anger) of American colonists. They were
angry at being taxed by the British Parliament, England’s law making government.
The colonies did not have a representative in Parliament.
2
To pay for the French and Indian War, Parliament passed the ​Sugar Act of
1764​. This act placed a tax on all sugar products shipped to the colonies. Sugar and
molasses now became more expensive.
3
When the tax did not raise enough funds, a new tax, the ​Stamp Act of 1765
was passed. This tax put an additional cost on all legal, governmental, and
commercial documents. This included such items as wills, contracts, newspapers,
licenses, and even playing cards.
4
In 1767, Parliament passed the ​Townshend Acts in 1767​. These taxes was
placed upon items imported into the colonies. Items such as glass, paper, paint,
lead, and tea would now be taxed which meant they now cost more.
5
The colonists reacted in protest to the Acts. They refused to pay the tax and
some tax collectors were threatened. Many of the merchants in the colonies
organized boycotts against British goods, refusing to buy their products. They also
began to smuggle in goods to avoid the taxes.
6
In response to the protests and boycotts, the Sugar and Stamp Acts were
repealed (canceled) in 1766. The Townshend Acts, were also repealed by Parliament
except for one item, TEA.
Document 3
The Boston Massacre
1
In 1765, British Parliament, England’s law making government, pass the
Quartering Act. It required that the colonists provide food, supplies and housing to
British soldiers stationed in the colonies after the French and Indian War. Keeping
British soldiers in the colonies would help make sure taxes were collected and
colonists were kept in line.
2
In Boston, most colonists ignored the Quartering Act. As a result, British
soldiers had to setup camp in Boston Common, which was a large green public
space in the center of town, to control the rebellious colonists.
3
The close quarters in the city led to numerous incidents between British
soldiers and citizens. One major incident occurred on March 5, 1770 when a rowdy
group of Bostonians harassed some soldiers who were on duty. They threw rocks
and snowballs at them. The British soldiers became angry and fired on the crowd,
killing five men. After the incident, both sides tried to use propaganda in the
newspapers to make the other side look bad.
4
The soldiers were put on trial for the murders, but all were let go or only
given a light punishment. The Boston Massacre became a rallying cry for
patriotism in the colonies. Groups like the Sons of Liberty used it to show the evils
of British rule.
Document 4
The Boston Tea Party
1
In 1773, British Parliament, England’s law making government, passed the
Tea Act​. This law gave the East India Tea Company the right to control all trade
in tea with the colonies. Tea would be shipped to the colonists on this company's
ships. It would be sold in the colonies by this company's merchants. AND, the
colonists would still have to pay the tax on tea. To the colonial leaders, the Tea Act
was an attempt by Parliament to seize control from colonial government.
2
To protest the act, the Sons of Liberty, a group of men whose goal was to
disrupt British taxes and laws, dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded tea ships and
dumped 342 cases of tea into Boston Harbor. The event became known as the
Boston Tea Party.
3
To punish the colonists, Parliament passed the ​Intolerable Acts of 1774​. They
were given the name "Intolerable Acts" by the colonists who felt they simply could
not "tolerate" such unfair laws. Although there were five acts, three of them affected
Boston the most:
The Boston Port Act ​closed the port of Boston to all ships until the
colonists paid for the tea they dumped into the harbor. Many felt that this
punishment was unfair because it punished all the citizens of Boston for a
crime that only a few committed.
The Massachusetts Government Act​ changed the government of the colony of
Massachusetts. It gave more power to the governor (who was appointed by
Great Britain) and took away power from the colonists.
The Quartering Act of 1774​ expanded upon the original Quartering Act of
1765. It said that the colonies had to provide barracks for British soldiers. In
the case where barracks weren't available, the soldiers could be housed in
other buildings such as barns, hotels, and homes.
Document 5
Patriots, Loyalists, Neutral
PATRIOTS
1
Those who supported complete independence from Britain because they felt
that recent British laws on the American colonies violated their rights as British
citizens (e.g., taxing without consent). Many Patriots lived in the New England
colonies, especially Massachusetts. Colonists who were in debt with British
creditors often became Patriots since they hoped winning the Revolution could get
them out of paying back their debt.
LOYALISTS
2
Colonists who opposed independence from Britain were known as Loyalists
or “Tories.” Most Loyalists who opposed independence tended to be wealthy
landowners or people with close cultural, business, or political ties to Britain. They
justified Britain’s taxation on the colonies. There was a high concentration of
Loyalists in New York City and in the Southern colonies.
3
Many Loyalists agreed that the American colonists had suffered at the hands
of the British, but the Loyalists hoped that a peace with British government was
possible. During the Revolution, many Loyalists were brutally attacked and killed.
Their property was destroyed or confiscated. Loyalists by the thousands fled the
American colonies for their own safety. Some Loyalists moved to England and
many more moved to nearby Canada.
NEUTRAL
4
Those colonists who were undecided because they simply believed in peaceful
resolution without having to choose a side. This group was willing to accept
whatever the outcome of the war would be. Among this group were devout Quakers
and other reluctant colonists who wanted no part in any fight for independence.
Document 6
Lexington and Concord
1
The Battles of Lexington and Concord signaled the start of the American
Revolutionary war on April 19, 1775. The British Army set out from Boston to
capture rebel leaders Samuel Adams and John Hancock in Lexington as well as to
destroy the Americans store of weapons and ammunition in Concord.
2
The Battle of Lexington was a very small fight. When the British arrived,
there were only around 80 American militiamen in the town. Neither side expected
to actually fight, but in the midst of the confusion a gunshot went off forcing the
British to attack. Some of the colonists were killed and the rest fled. The gunshot
was the first shot of the American Revolution and the start of the war.
3
After the Americans fled from Lexington, the British marched to the city of
Concord. When they first got to Concord, they met little resistance and began to
search the town for the militia's hidden stash of weapons and munitions. The
Americans had retreated to the outskirts of Concord and observed the British from
other side of the North Bridge. As the Americans waited, more and more local
militiamen arrived making their forces stronger and stronger.
4
The Americans decided to cross the North Bridge back into Concord. They
defeated the British troops at the North Bridge, giving the Americans renewed
confidence. Soon the British commander, Colonel Francis Smith, realized that the
American militia resistance was rapidly growing and it was time to retreat.
5
Once the British decided to retreat, they began the long march back to the
city of Boston. The Americans continued to gain forces and continued to attack
and harass the British during their retreat. By the time the British reached Boston
they had lost 73 men and 174 were wounded. The Americans lost 49 men and 41
were wounded.
NAME _______________________ DATE _________ CLASS _____ CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
DIRECTIONS: Use the texts and the guiding questions to complete the graphic organizer.
THE PROCLAMATION OF 1763 - 1
What was the purpose of the
Proclamation of 1763?
How did the colonists react to the
Proclamation of 1763?
TAXATION WITHOUT
REPRESENTATION - 2
Why was the Sugar Act passed?
What items did the Stamp Act tax?
What items did the Townshend Acts tax?
THE BOSTON MASSACRE - 3
What was the Quartering Act of 1765?
How did the colonists react to the
Boston Massacre?
PATRIOT, LOYALIST, NEUTRAL - 5
Who were the Patriots?
Who were the Loyalists?
Why were some colonists neutral?
THE BOSTON TEA PARTY - 4
How did the colonists react to the Acts?
LEXINGTON AND CONCORD - 6
What was the significance of Lexington
and Concord?
How did the British government react to
the Boston Tea Party?